The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-12-10
The Evangelical Alliance Visits the
President.
IRy telegraph to tao A.hsvnIc citiz,a.l

! 81 t5iCSFdpI 10 LSS AsneFiIie titIZe1.i
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The White
House this afternoon was invaded
By nearly 1900 members OF the
EyanGciicrI Alliance who called in
body about o'clock to pay their
respects 10 Prt-lttHptand Mrs. Clave-
Land They WIRE received in t.lc
East room. and were individually
pres entrd to tie President and Mrs.
Cleveland by VIM e Dodge, Presi-
dent OF thn Alliance; and Col. John
NJ. Wilson Nr Dodge made a
brief address, expressing the
great pleasure it gave the Al
lance as y body 10 show
their appreciation Of the President
and his wife, who, he said, was es-
pecially loved and respected By
them all. He closed by urging the
President to Cooperate with the Al
ienco in the cause of Christianity.
he President replied as follows
"Mr. Presiieat-i an giad to
meet so large a delegation from the
Evangelical Alliance Of the United
States / understand the purpose
of this Alliance to be the application
OF christian rules Of conduct to the
problems and exiGencies of social
and political life. such movement
cannot fail to produce the most val
uable results. All must admit that
the recognition of The teachings OF
christianity results in the purest
patriotism, ii most scrupuiou3 idcl-
ity to rublic trust, and in the best
type OF citizenship. Those who
manage the affairs o; the 2ovorn-
ment ars by tins means reminded
that the law Of God demands that
they SHOULD be courageous, true to
the interests of the people, and that
the Ruler of the universe will re-
Quire Of them a strict account
OF their stewardship. The peo-
pie, too, are thus taught
that their happiness and welfare
will be bsst promoted by consci-
entious regard for the interest of
common brotherhood, and that the
success Of government By he peo-
PIE depends upon the morality, JUS
tice and honesty CT the people. Il
am especially pleased to knoTt that
your efforts are not cramped and
Iin,itod by denominations lines,
and thst your credentials are
founded in broad christian fellow
snip. Manifestly, if you seek to
teacf, your countrymen liberation,
you yourself must be tolerant. IfI
you would teach them liberality for
the opinions of each, ,ssyou yourself |
must be liberal; and if you would |
teach them unselfi: b patriotism you
yourselves must be unselfsh. There
is enough OF work in the field you
have entered 10 enlist the hearty CO.
operation OF ali who believe in the
value and efficacy of christian teach.
ing and practice. Your noble mis-
-ion, if undertaken N the broad and |
generous 81 rit will surely arrest
the attention and respectful con-
sideratiou of your fellow citizens,
and your endeavors, considered |
by benevoience and patriotic love, |
must eXsrt a powerful influence in
the enlightenment and improve
msnt OF our peOpla in illustrating
the strcngthand staDilityofo our insti
tutions and in advancing the pros
perity aud greatness OF our beloved |
land" the Rev. DR.. Burchard of
New York of Three Rs" fame, was
among those presented. The Pres
ident recognized him at once and
advancing towards him said with
considerable earnestness and ferN er,
that be was Tery glad to see
him, whereupon "a crowd Of dele-
gates broke into hearty laughter.